Wet case tumblers

[kris6600]

I've been reloading for awhile and I've cleaned my case with a sonic cleaner the whole time. Now i find myself wanting to get a bit more shine on my brass every now and then. I think a wet tumbler with ss pins would be great. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good wet tumbler that doesn't break the bank. I definitely want to stay under 200 and would like to be around 100. Also does anyone have any tips for sonic cleaning that may produce better results? Im using a hornady 2l cleaner with hornady one shot sonic clean formula. Thanks in advance!

 

[rmelchiori]

I've been using a double drum tumbler from Harbor Freight. It's about $50 or so, less if you use the always available 20% off coupon. I do about 200 - 300 rounds of 9mm using both drums. I use a universal decapper first and then tumble for about 90 minutes. The results are amazing, prime pockets are spotless. Use a little Armorall wash and wax in the water and it protects the brass so that it doesn't tarnish as fast.

 

[Toprudder]

Frankford Rotary Tumbler. Comes with the SS pins, can be had for ~ $150. Holds about 1000 .40 S&W or about 1300 9mm cases.

Get a good media separator, I use the RCBS green tub type. Fill the tub up with water, place the basket in the tub and rotate the basket. Having the tub full of water helps break the surface tension that will cause the pins to stick to the cases.

Tumbler and separator < $200.

 

[NainCain]

Frankford Rotary Tumbler. Comes with the SS pins, can be had for ~ $150. Holds about 1000 .40 S&W or about 1300 9mm cases.

Get a good media separator, I use the RCBS green tub type. Fill the tub up with water, place the basket in the tub and rotate the basket. Having the tub full of water helps break the surface tension that will cause the pins to stick to the cases.

Excellent advice.

Just did a large batch, 90% full, of decapped 5.56. I did not use the SS pins. Set for an hour and they came out sparkling. Dawn/lemi shine.

 

[kris6600]

I wonder how dawn/lemi shine would work in my sonic cleaner.

 

[jmorris]

I built one with a $35 eBay gear motor and two 12.7 gallon chlorine buckets awhile back that will tumble 3000 45 ACP cases at a time, no problem.

 

[mongoose33]

I have both the Thumler's Tumbler and the Frankford Arsenal rotary tumblers. IMO, the Frankford is head and shoulders better than the TT.

Not only is it cheaper, I keep seeing it including the 5# of stainless pins as part of the cost--and at that point it's still cheaper than the TT.

Two other things make it better, IMO: one is that the unit has a mechanical timer on it that goes up to 3 hours. I used to have to use a wall timer to control the TT.

The other thing is the way the drum closes. The TT has six wing nuts to close the lid; the FA uses a screw-on lid. Much easier to work w/ the screw-on lid.

There's no difference in the result between the two, but I don't use the TT any more.

 

[clearcut]

jmorris you win again!! I love the way you build things in a grand way.

CC

 

[grandpawj]

jmorris, I have tried to find a motor such as yours and the best I can do is about $150 to $200. I'd say you got a good price on yours!!

 

[jmorris]

I keep "gear motor" as a saved search on eBay, have bid on hundreds and might win a few a year.

I built some really big ones a few years ago for a business. That are loaded/un loaded with a gantry crane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlZOYjmAnO0

 

[kris6600]

Thank you all very much. I think i may try the frankfort....that is unless mongoose wants to sell his thumlers tumbler at a good price. Lol

 

[jmorris]

There is this one in the reloading sale forum but I don't know anything about the brand or seller.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=795416